Reno, Daal Lead Yale to 24-10 Victory Over Columbia

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Freshman quarterback Dante Reno threw two touchdown passes and running back Billy Daal broke loose for an 81-yard scoring run, as Yale defeated Columbia 24-10 in an Ivy League matchup at the historic Yale Bowl on Saturday, October 28. The crucial win moved the Bulldogs to 4-3 overall and an important 3-1 in conference play, keeping their Ivy League championship hopes firmly alive.

Reno, showcasing composure beyond his years, opened the scoring in the first quarter with a precise 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ryan Lindley, giving Yale an early lead in front of their home crowd.

However, it was Daal’s explosive play in the second quarter that truly electrified the stadium. The dynamic running back burst through the line of scrimmage and raced 81 yards untouched for a touchdown, marking a season-long run for the Bulldogs and significantly extending Yale’s advantage. Daal was the offensive workhorse for Yale, finishing the day as the game’s leading rusher with an impressive 127 yards on just 12 carries, averaging more than 10 yards per attempt.

Columbia managed to respond in the second quarter when running back Joey Giorgi powered in for a 1-yard touchdown run, sending the teams into halftime with Yale holding a 14-7 advantage.

The Lions attempted to chip away at the deficit in the third quarter when kicker Dylan Postupack connected on a 24-yard field goal from 24 yards out, bringing Columbia within four points at 14-10.

But Yale’s freshman signal-caller had one more clutch play to deliver. In the fourth quarter, Reno found tight end Jackson Hawes for a 6-yard touchdown pass, extending Yale’s lead to 24-10 and effectively sealing the victory for the Bulldogs. Reno’s two touchdown passes underscore his growing confidence and command of the Yale offense.

With the victory, Yale improved its record to 4-3 overall and a strong 3-1 in the highly competitive Ivy League standings, positioning them among the top contenders for the conference title in the season’s final weeks. Columbia, meanwhile, fell to 2-5 overall and remains winless in conference play at 0-4, continuing a challenging season for the Lions.

The Bulldogs will now look to build on this momentum as they prepare for the next chapter of their Ivy League schedule. Yale will travel to Brown University in Providence, R.I., next Saturday, November 4, for another conference showdown. Columbia will return home to Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium in New York City to host Harvard on the same day.